What factors might influence the Fed in the near future? Here’s a trivia question for you: when was the last time the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark U.S. interest rate? The answer: June 29, 2006. On that day, the federal funds rate hit 5.25%. It has declined...
WEEKLY QUOTE“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” - Samuel Clemens WEEKLY TIP Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover damage from floods and earthquakes. You will need to purchase separate coverage for protection from those calamities. WEEKLY RIDDLE What 9-letter word remains an English word...
The summer of 2012 has defied expectations. On August 21, the S&P 500 hit a 4-year high. It climbed 3% in the first three weeks of the month following a 1.26% July gain. Across the past four weeks, the index’s total return has been just under...
A different kind of Top Ten list. You probably read or hear about some “Top Ten” list nearly every day. But take a moment to read this one. This list is different, and probably not the kind of list you’d expect a Financial Advisor to write. Reason...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.” - Mark Twain WEEKLY TIP We all have impulses that can make us spend more and save less. Recognizing them can help us to improve our financial behaviors. WEEKLY RIDDLE What is the...
Things to think about when planning for a single retirement. Most retirement planning literature portrays a retirement transition in the context of a couple or a family – but what about those who retire alone? What particular challenges do they face, and how must their preparation...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Once you really commence to see things, then you really commence to feel things.” - Edward Steichen WEEKLY TIP Most people save too little for retirement. Consider bumping your retirement plan contribution up to 10%-15% of your pay if you can. WEEKLY RIDDLE A common English word refers to...
Keep an eye out for these signs. According to data compiled by Norton, cybercrime hits over 74 million Americans annually. You know you have been victimized when you get that courtesy call or email from a bank or credit card issuer - but is there a...
What do you do when you’re self-employed or commission-reliant? When your income stream is uneven, you must deal with some distinct financial issues. Besides cash flow, what do you do about your tax strategy? How should you try to save? If you are self-employed, what...
WEEKLY QUOTE“A clever man commits no minor blunders.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe WEEKLY TIP It may be worth it to hire an M&A firm when selling an established business. This could encourage multiple offers and a higher sale price. WEEKLY RIDDLE A friend wants change for a dollar. All...